Bradley University to unveil new mascot Saturday

Published: Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 6:30 a.m. CST

PEORIA (AP) — Bradley University says it will unveil its new gargoyle mascot Saturday during the men's basketball game against Loyola-Chicago in Peoria.

Bradley Athletics Director Michael Cross made the announcement Wednesday. The school says the unveiling will happen before the game and will involve pyrotechnics, smoke, lights and loud sounds. Fans will be able to take pictures with the mascot and students attending the game will receive free T-shirts featuring the gargoyle.

The school said last year it had chosen the gargoyle to be its new mascot, but would keep the "Braves" nickname.

School officials have said Bradley stopped using a mascot at some point before 1990 as pressure to drop American Indian mascots increased. The new mascot is inspired by a gargoyle atop the school's alumni center.